Byers joins Baird from PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) investment banking practice, where he was Managing Director, Co-Head of the Houston Office and Head of Oilfield Services M&A. Prior to joining PwC, Byers was Head of North America Oilfield Services Investment Banking at JP Morgan. Byers holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.A. from St. Lawrence University.

Ariyachandra also joins Baird from PwC where he was a Director in the firm’s investment banking practice. Prior to joining PwC, Ariyachandra was a Vice President at JP Morgan, where he also focused on Oilfield Services. Ariyachandra holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a B.S. from Louisiana State University.

Commenting on the expansion of Baird’s Energy Investment Banking practice, Curtis Goot, Co-Head of Energy Investment Banking at Baird, said: “We are thrilled to have Gregg and Chamila join Baird’s Energy group and partner with Kjell to significantly expand our Oilfield Services effort. Their combined industry expertise and transaction experience is tremendous, and something we know will benefit our clients and enhance our ability to meet their needs.”

Frank Murphy, Co-Head of Baird’s Energy Group added: “Since starting an energy sector investment banking effort eight years ago, Baird has made significant progress, with over 220 advisory and capital markets transactions completed to-date for our midstream, upstream and oilfield services clients. We very much look forward to working with our new partners to further build a pre-eminent energy practice.”

Brian Doyal, Co-Head of Global Investment Banking at Baird, added: “We are very pleased to welcome Gregg and Chamila to the platform, and we’re excited about the prospects for expanding our Oilfield Services practice. Given Baird’s industry-leading position in middle market M&A, and the synergies with our highly successful Industrial, Technology & Services, and Financial Sponsors franchises, the expansion of our Oilfield Services effort makes tremendous sense for us and our clients. Gregg and Chamila’s deep industry expertise and commitment to client service will be highly valuable as we continue to build our practice.”

Commenting on his move, Byers added: “Baird is a premier middle market investment bank, with the platform and the resources to allow us to provide the best outcomes for our Oilfield Services clients. I’m excited to join this hard-working, results-driven team, and look forward to helping grow an industry-leading Energy investment banking franchise.”

About Baird Global Investment Banking

Baird is a leading global investment bank focused on the middle market. Approximately 300 investment banking professionals in the U.S., Europe and Asia provide corporations, private equity, entrepreneurs, and venture capital firms with in-depth market knowledge and extensive experience in merger and acquisition, debt advisory and capital markets transactions. Over the past five years, Baird has completed over 930 advisory and capital markets transactions representing more than $250 billion in value.

About Baird

Baird is an employee-owned, international M&A, capital markets, private equity, wealth management, and asset management firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has approximately 3,500 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird had $211 billion in client assets under management as of June 30, 2018. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 12 on FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2018 – its 15th consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.